The Pasifiki (Tonga) R&D Corporation (PTRDC) has launched its new website, www.pasifikitongarndwebsite.com, to help informal workers in Tonga recover from the economic hardships caused by COVID-19 and the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption in 2022.
Established in October 2022, PTRDC aims to boost exports of handmade products from sectors like agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and handicrafts.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) reported that informal workers were hit hardest by the pandemic, with 79% of Tonga’s workforce employed in this sector. PTRDC, working in collaboration with the Tonga National Workers’ Council (TNWC), supports affiliated groups such as the Tonga Agricultural Workers’ Association and Tonga Tapa-making Workers’ Association (TTmWA).
Through the new website, customers worldwide can purchase unique handmade crafts, with payments accepted via major credit cards. Products are priced in Australian dollars (AUD), making them more affordable for buyers in Europe and the U.S.
The Tonga Development Bank (TDB) has supported these efforts, providing around TOP 1 million in micro-loans for workers to purchase tools and materials.
The website’s launch marks a significant step in Tonga’s economic recovery, offering an opportunity for the Tongan diaspora to contribute by purchasing local products directly.
Source: Pasifiki (Tonga) R&D Corporation
